Frequently Asked Questions

What is the All Star Invitational Marching Band?

The All Star Invitational Marching Band combines the skill of the country’s best marching band students with the excitement of performing in front of nearly 75,000 fans. Each year, we bring together the most talented high school marching band performers to work with the biggest names in the marching profession and showcase their skills by performing at a prestigious national event. In 2014, through special arrangement we are proud to offer selected students the opportunity to perform on one of the biggest stages in college football – the Orange Bowl in South Florida!

Who are the nationally recognized marching band directors that will work with the All Star Invitational Marching Band?

For 2014, the All Star Invitational Marching Band is proud to bring together directors from the most prestigious college music and marching programs in the nation*.

Dr. Ken Dye – Director of Bands, University of Notre Dame

Barry Bernhardt – Director of Marching Bands, Florida International University

These directors have received national acclaim for their work and have extensive experience in working with talented students, making them the perfect choice to mentor participants in the All Star Invitational Marching Band. All Stars will also have the opportunity to work with other renowned directors as they rehearse for the Orange Bowl.

*Please note that all directors’ participation is contingent upon the performance of their school’s football teams.

What do students do at the All Star Invitational Marching Band?

Students spend much of their time focused on preparing for their performances. However, the program also allows performers the opportunity to experience the excitement of their destination, sunny Miami. Highlights of the 6-day program include the opportunities to:

Work with legendary marching band directors from the nation’s strongest marching band programs, including Dr. Ken Dye (Notre Dame), Barry Bernhardt (Florida International University), Norm Ruebling (Percussion Director), Jim Hudson (Arizona State University), and more (contigent upon the performance of the directors’ football teams)

Earn free academic credit through our Discovery for Credit program

Showcase your talent on one of the most prestigious stages in college football – the Orange Bowl game

Play in the exclusive All Star Invitational Marching Band performance

Perform in the halftime show for nearly 75,000 fans

Take part in additional performance opportunities, which have in the past included such activities as marching in the Jr. Orange Bowl parade

Rehearse and interact with fellow elite performers

Participate in a professional music leadership seminar

See yourself on the big screen, experience sunny Miami, and celebrate at an exclusive All Star party

When will the 2014 All Star Invitational Marching Band take place?

The 2014 All Star Invitational Marching Band will take place December 30, 2013 – January 4, 2014. The Orange Bowl game is January 3, 2014.

What is the connection between the All Star Invitational Marching Band and WorldStrides Heritage Performance programs?

The All Star Invitational Marching Band is operated by WorldStrides Heritage Performance programs through special arrangement with the Orange Bowl. For more than three decades, WorldStrides Heritage Performance programs have promoted excellence among choirs, bands, orchestras, and dance and cheer squads by providing outstanding educational and performance opportunities for accomplished student performers across North America. The All Star Invitational Marching Band is yet another unique educational performance opportunity operated by WorldStrides Heritage Performance programs.

How are All Stars selected?

Music directors from around the United States, Canada, and abroad are asked to recognize and nominate talented marching students in grades 9-12. Nominated students and self-nominating students are then invited to individually apply for selection. Applicants must submit a complete application and audition recording. Self-nominating students must additionally submit a teacher recommendation. All applications are then reviewed by an expert board of music professionals for final selection, and parts are assigned based upon audition score ranking. All applicants will be notified of their status by October 1, 2013.

What are the Application Requirements?

Audition DVD (described below) or posted recording, such as on YouTube

A $295 participation deposit (the full deposit amount, minus the $10 application fee is refunded if not selected. Once accepted, the deposit becomes non-refundable.)

* Application materials will not be returned

Applicants submit the materials using the paper application available on the Performers section. Applications will not be considered until all required pieces are received. If an applicant fails to submit required portions, the deposit will not be refunded.

What are the requirements of the audition DVD?

Each student must submit an audition recording. The video should be mailed to our office for Board evaluation or posted on YouTube. Recording must meet the following criteria*:

Instrumentalists:

Please submit two (2) videos:

Video 1: Marching Audition

This is an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their ability to march and play music at the same time

The video may be of the applicant marching while playing with a band or solo

Applicant should be visible during most of the video

Video may be recorded inside or outside

The video should be one take and not pieced together

Applicant may play any piece of his/her choosing

Video should not exceed 5 minutes in length

Video 2: Solo Performance

Applicant may select any piece of his/her choosing, as long as it shows the student playing at his/her best

Recording may be a concert or rehearsal setting, but it should not include any other musicians playing

Applicant should be visible during most of the video

Video should not exceed 3 minutes in length

Additional Notes:

Videos are not expected to be professionally produced and can be made at home, even on a cell phone camera.

Recordings may not be engineered or enhanced in any manner.

Audition may be on more than one instrument. Applicant only needs to submit one application deposit, but would need to submit multiple videos in this case.

Percussionists: Additional Requirements

Please submit solo performances on all of the following instruments (not necessarily while marching):

Snare (Traditional)

Tenors

Bass Drum

Cymbals

Recordings should include 2 minutes per instrument

Color guard:

Please submit one (1) video:

This video is the applicant’s opportunity to show his/her talent.

Applicant may perform any choreographed routine of his/her choosing, as long as it is at an advanced level and incorporates the following moves:

Drop Spins

Over Hand or Speed Spins

Flag Tosses

Video should not exceed 5 minutes in length

*Recordings will not be returned

Baton Twirlers:

Please submit one (1) video:

This video is the applicant’s opportunity to show his/her talent

Applicant may perform any choreographed routine of his/her choosing

Video should highlight the following:

Showmanship, gracefulness, energy, ambidexterity, and coordination

Mastery of basic techniques, including pattern, baton revolution, and followthrough

Can parents participate in the All Star Invitational Marching Band?

Parents, family members, and friends are encouraged to join their All Star by either purchasing one of our Family Program packages or by purchasing individual tickets to the game. Information on package options will be provided to All Stars once accepted and also posted on the Family page of this website. Other than individual tickets to the game, all hotels, activities, touring and events are available only as part of a package (cannot be purchased separately).

What about performer safety?

The safety and security of our student performers is our highest priority. Though all students will be provided options to have their family participate in a Family Program package, we recognize that many students may be traveling to Miami alone. We’re proud that the All Star Invitational Marching Band is supported by an organization with nearly 50 years of experience in providing student-focused travel programs. Every program element is designed with safety in mind so that directors, parents, and performers can rest easy, and students can focus ontheir performances. Program elements include:

Airport shuttles and staff to greet and send off students from assigned airport

All transportation during the program

Chaperones (many of whom are music teachers) to supervise performers outside of rehearsals and during activities

Experienced program staff who are trained in working with high school students

Hotel night security on each occupied floor to ensure restful nights for students

Exclusive Doctors On Call arrangement for medical support while on the program

24-hour staffed emergency office to handle the unexpected

Extensive participant insurance while on the program

What is included in the cost of the All Star Invitational Marching Band?

The All Star Invitational Marching Band provides a hassle-free experience so that selected student performers can focus on their main reason for being in Miami – performing at their very best at the Orange Bowl. The program includes*:

All rehearsal costs, including equipment and sheet music

Exposure to some of the biggest names in the marching profession for the program duration

Free academic credit through our Discovery for Credit program

All production costs and services for two Orange Bowl performances

Additional performance opportunities as available, which in the past have included performing at the Jr. Orange Bowl parade

An exclusive Doctors On Call arrangement for medical support while on the program

Extensive traveler insurance while on the program

*All inclusions subject to change **Transportation to and from South Florida is NOT included

Please note: A set payment plan and need-based scholarships are available.

Is transportation included in the program?

All ground transportation once in Miami, including shuttling between the designated airport and hotels, is included (for registered participants of the program only). Transportation to and from Miami is the responsibility of each participant. Because this is a selective program, we encourage applicants to wait to book airline tickets until after they have received both their acceptance and the specified arrival/departure times and locations.

Will someone meet me at the airport?

All Stars are given a window of time at a specific Miami airport during which included transportation to and from the hotel will be provided. Participants should book their flight arrival and departure times to coincide with these periods in order to meet program representatives at the airport and take advantage of this included service. Participants arriving or departing outside of these windows will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to or from the assigned hotel.

What if I am arriving into a different airport, or by train or car?

Participants arriving into a different airport than the one assigned, by train, or by car should proceed directly to the official program hotel for registration. Specific details will be provided to program participants prior to departure.

Are scholarships available?

The All Star Invitational Marching Band is dedicated to bringing together talented student performers from across North America. Need-based, partial scholarships are available to ensure that performers from all economic backgrounds are able to experience this unique performance opportunity. Please call 1-855-803-3334 for more information.

Where will participants stay?

All Stars will stay at a highly rated, student-friendly South Florida hotel. Each hotel has been chosen for its cleanliness, hospitality, and safe location. Our hotels are student friendly and are rated highly by directors who have participated in our programs.

Does my All Star get to choose his/her roommates?

All Stars are placed four to a room with double beds in each room. In general, roommate selection is randomly assigned by gender. Meeting new people and making new friends is a key element of the All Star Invitational Marching Band and roommates enhance the entire experience. If an All Star is traveling with a family member who has purchased a 6-Day Family Program package, they may request to room together. Occupancy other than four-to-a-room requires a room surcharge. Please contact us if you would like more information about this option.

How can I reach an All Star in case of emergency?

During the program, families may call our Tour Central office at 1-800-999-4542. We have staff on call 24 hours a day, so that we will be able to put parents in touch with their child in case of an emergency. Please also note that students carry with them a name badge with a toll-free number listed on the back, so they can reach support staff for any reason, at any time.

Is there a code of conduct for All Stars?

To ensure a positive experience for all, students are required to sign a behavior contract before participating in the All Star Invitational Marching Band.

What is the Program Travel and Protection Plan and what does it cover?

The Program and Travel Protection Plan is designed exclusively for All Stars and Family Program participants and represents a great value for travel protection. In the event that the participant becomes unexpectedly ill or injured before or during the program, the plan will reimburse participants for charges that are assessed due to cancellation or for the unused portion of the trip should it be interrupted for a covered reason. In addition, it addresses minor inconveniences like lost or delayed baggage (including instruments). The plan provides protection not only of the investment in your program, but also offers important coverage while traveling. For complete details of the terms, conditions, and exclusions for the coverage please refer to the Description of Coverage which is available here. The additional cost of the Program Travel and Protection Program is $69 per participant. Payment should be made to the All Star Invitational Marching Band.

For complete details of the terms, conditions, and exclusions for the coverage, please contact us at 855-803-3334.